(International Business Times)
IBT goes on to explore the relationship to commerce between the U.S. and Canada which would be impacted by the addition of fees. The Canadian’s aren’t overly pleased by the proposal: ”No Border Tax”, is the title of one of many anti-border taxes from the Canadian Press – this from the Winnipeg Free Press. The border fees would especially hit tourism for Northern U.S. States, and is seen as particularly unfair to Canada.
Is there truly any logic to most of the governments’ budgets? One might suggest, since the Department of Homeland Security is busy “protecting” our borders, especially the Western State borders with Mexico – a fee (tax), of any measure would impact those poorest who cross the Southern Border with Mexico – Visiting family members, or doing business in the U.S. Those that cross, either legally or illegally would be impacted by the fee (assuming those crossing illegally would cross at an actual border crossing). Perhaps this is a feeble attempt at reducing any form of immigration from South of the border.
Regardless, as there is no end to waste in the U.S. Federal Budget, the manner in which budgets are set for departments should be revised, and all items purchased, as well as salaries and perks, should be under a microscope. As those working in the U.S. know, there is no end to the taxes that are levied, from payroll (Income, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security), to gasoline, to usage fees – now the long arm of the Fed is seeking to grab what it can from those who are contributing to the U.S. economy by the simple act of visiting the U.S. – Why not apply that “fee” to anyone attempting to enter the U.S. by any means? – Or alternately, start making adjustments to budgets (cuts) by reviewing Senator Tom Coburn, MD’s reports: ”Department of Everything”, suggests more than a few ludicrous and expensive projects by the DOD(PDF), while Duplication Nation suggest a savings large enough to cover the costs of Sequestration, by simply eliminating duplicate spending by the U.S. . The good Doctor also publishes an annual ”Waste” or “Pork” report, outlining the extremely imbecilic way that tax payers dollars are allocated. (PDF)
Of course, Senator Coburn is not a professional politician or lawyer, rather a Doctor – which may be the reason – ethics!! Perhaps we need more Doctors in the House, the Senate and for that matter, the Oval office.